"What makes you thrive? What is essential to ensure you get what you need to live, survive and flourish in you own environment?"

In the Five Domains model, the four physical domains (nutrition, environment, health, and behaviour) are concerned with biological function, or physical wellbeing of the animal. The fifth domain looks at the mental state and considers the psychological wellbeing of the animal. Combined, they form the key elements of animal welfare.  

It is important to safeguard and ensure good animal welfare. A good welfare status comes from a positive state of mind and the presence of positive experiences and sensations, with the avoidance of negative experiences. This can be achieved when the physical and psychological needs are met. However, an individual’s mental state can vary from day to day, due to different sensations it may experience and therefore overall, its welfare can change. It is the complex relationship between each of the five domains that results in an animal’s overall welfare status. 

Complete this quick activity below, it will challenge you to look at different categories for animals in captivity.